Two incumbent justices ran for reelection in a nonpartisan race in Montana this year. Justice James Rice was challenged by attorney W. Daivd Herbert and kept his seat. Justice Michael Wheat faced off against Montana Solicitor General Lawrence VanDyke. Montana Supreme Court elections have traditionally been low-key affairs, but this year saw increased spending as the Republican State Leadership Committee announced plans to pay particular attention to these state races.
Justice Wheat won the race, garnering 59 percent of the vote.
Estimated Total Spending: $353,630*
- Estimated Spending by Mike Wheat: $39,450
- Estimated Spending by the Republican State Leadership Committee: $65,360
- Estimated Spending by Montanans for Liberty and Justice: $179,240
- Estimated spending by Americans for Prosperity: $69,580
*These figures were last updated on November 16, 2014.
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October 31 – Pocket Rev
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This ad decries Lawrence VanDyke’s ties to out -of-state interests.
Sponsor: Montanans for Liberty and Justice
Estimated Spending: $25,360
October 29 – Critical
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This ad compares Lawrence VanDyke’s criminal justice record to that of Mike Wheat.
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $15,980
October 28 – How Do the Votes Compare
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In this ad, Americans for Prosperity compares Mike Wheat’s record as a former state senator to his record as a Supreme Court justice.
Sponsor: Americans for Prosperity
Estimated Spending: $47,710
October 27 – At It Again
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In this ad, Mike Wheat says out-of-state corporations are distorting the truth about his record.
Sponsor: Mike Wheat
Estimated Spending: $13,570
October 27 – Montana Deserves
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This ads claims Justice Mike Wheat has “extreme politics.”
Sponsor: Americans for Prosperity
Estimated Spending: $21,870
October 7 – Pocket
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This ad says Lawrence VanDyke is “in the pocket of out of state special interests,” while Justice Mike Wheat “is his own man.”
Sponsor: Montanans for Liberty and Justice
Estimated Spending: $153,880
October 7 – Tired of Stories
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The Republican State Leadership Committee says Lawrence VanDyke is “not a politician,” in this ad.
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $49,380
September 30 – Criminal Prosecutor
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In this ad, Justice Mike Wheat discusses how important it is to elect judges who have legal experience.
Sponsor: Mike Wheat
Estimated Spending: $25,880
News
Mike Dennison, AFP Launches Ad Against Montana Supreme Court Candidate Wheat, The Missoulian, October 23, 2014.
Jessica Mayrer, Crowding the Race: Partisan Politics, PAC Money Permeate Supreme Court Campaign, Missoula Independent, October 9, 2014.
John S. Adams, Rice Boasts Experience in Re-Election Bid, Great Falls Tribune, September 27, 2014.
John S. Adams, Supreme Court Candidate Supports Jury Nullification, Great Falls Tribune, September 27, 2014.
Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending.